Thanks Amy! I have known this particular surgeon for almost 11 years and trust him completely. My doctor has "warned me" that the surgeon will do his own breast exam and possibly a biopsy as well as send me to a different hospital or imagining center that has better equipment than we have here in our small, mountain top town in North Carolina (speaking of which, we had almost an inch of snow up here this morning ). I'll keep everyone posted after I meet with him on the 19th!

I am here trying to support a high school senior student that wants to go to college next year to study microbiology, biotechnology and genetics.

This students goals are as follows:

"My goal in life is to get PhDs in the fields of both microbiology and biotechnology, so I can apply the knowledge of those subjects into the development of pharmaceuticals that will help to not only treat, but to completely eradicate various illnesses, such as cancer, making the quality of life better for all people, of all walks of life, in all parts of the world, regardless of any factor that would otherwise allow them to receive proper treatment." -------------------------------------------------------------------

This student applied for a scholarship in which the winner is based by the number of votes he or she receives. I believe that many of us need better treatment and even a cure. So I am here to ask for your support for this student. PLEASE Vote for this student's essay with a+1, like and a tweet during the month of October in the following page:

My name is Monica, My mother passed 5 years ago from breast cancer. I found a lump and feel like this is the best place for me to be while my doctor and I try to find out what it is. She says I have fibrocystic breasts and that it could be a knot caused by caffeine. I am concerned because I don't drink much caffeine, nor do I smoke, do drugs, or drink. Although I have in the past. I am so proud of all of the survivors here, and everywhere! I feel like my mother lives through each of you. I am not sure if I was supposed to post all of that here, and I apologize for being so upfront. I am just very scared.

Hi Monica and I'm very sorry you lost your Mom to this disease and applaud you for being so pro active with your own health as early detection really does make a huge difference.

I've never heard of a knot being caused by caffine and it sounds very unlikely to me, many younger women do have fibrous or lumpy breasts but you can never assume thats all it is, in general its hard to pick things up in a Mammo so an MRI or Ultrasound may give you more answers. I think you need to see a breast surgeon and have this looked into in view of your family history, remember over 80% of breast lumps that are found are benign and the chances are this one is too but its best to be certain, good luck and keep us posted!

The "knot" assumption is suspicious to me as well. I don't have insurance as of yet, I have to wait for All-care to kick in in January. I first found it on or around Sept. 19th, It has been there ever since and hasn't moved. I had to go to planned parenthood and see a nurse practitioner but I think I need a second opinion.

Morning, My name is Debbie. I am just began treatment. I had DCIS 2 years ago. Everything was pretty much norm, then increase problems started. My mammo and ultra sound showed increase areas, this time not just in one but both. The physical pain has gotten at times so bad that it has interferred with life and with work. The doctor has scheduled a MRI, but looked at me and said, "I am starting you on chemo, tablet form. I don't like how these imagines appear here. I can also predict what the MRI will show, but that has to be done for insurance verification." So, I bit my lip, fought the tears and started through the clinic, first to lab - blood draw, onocology for a shot, pharmacy - pick up medication, and then back to the doctor's. Here he gave me a a very stern guideline - Get your mind strong, Get your body strong - keep exercising, eat very, very healthy, take medication at the scheduled times daily and get counceling. These will help. It can make it as easy as having the areas decreased in 3 months or if you slip on any of these you could be looking at a very long road. He stated that he feels I have a strong chance of beating this as long as I follow this guideline. I am really scared. I have started with the increase feeling tired. I will sleep, but wake from horrible dreams, and the hot flashed, omg. I haven't made it back to college in a week and half. Have had times with food not tasting good. My husband is being strong for me, but that also scares me, how long will it last, We have only been married 4 1/2 years, but have know each other for 48 yrs, grow up tog. Haven't told other family members. Did tell a couple of friends that I think of as close, but know afraid I might lose them. When we talk now, they feel smoothering then become very distant all within the same conversation. They also don't look at me in the face, but keep looking down at my breasts.Not sure where to go next with everything.Thank you, for letting me get some things out. This is the first I have actully wrote a lot of this down. Thank again.

I'm sad your Onc was inferring if you don't follow these guidlelines the cancer will not go away or take longer in treatment, of course in an ideal world we'd all love to exercise each day and eat the right things and remain psoitive but sadly life is not like that. Just do what you feel able for, eat only what you like or can stomach at this point and cut yourself some slack, there'll be time enough when you're well again to begin a healthy eating programme but for now rest as much as you need to as it helps your body cope with this and eventually heal.

When will you get the results of the MRI? was it a full body one or just of the breasts? I only ask because its unusual to have chemo in pill form for early stage breastcancer (I think its called xeloda??) I assume the plan is to shrink the tumour/tumours and then have surgery?? I think it would help if your Onc was clearer about what you're dealing with, what stage or grade etc and what size the tumours are?? its all very good for him to guess and be cryptic but its only going to worry you more I feel.

Please be reassured that many of us here are long time survivors and have been where you are now and still doing well, I'm sure you will too so just take one day at a time for now and ask any questions here as all the members will be happy to help you through this and offer support. Its a sad fact many of us lost what we thought were good friends along the way, don't fret because the real genuine caring one's will be there for you regardless so dismiss the others and know you're amongst friends now.

My name is Becky, and I have a 17yr old daughter, Meg, who's mom died of breast cancer at 32, grandmother died of breast cancer in middle 30's, and there are cousins who also had breast cancer. My husband, Rob(biological dad) is scared to get her brac tested...he says he doesn't want to know that his daughter is going to die. Rob's brother is an Oncology surgeon and has encouraged Rob to get her tested numerous times. I'm very concerned for my daughter and need advice on what I should do first. Meg is aware of her risk, and I have talked to her about self examining her breast monthly. Should I get her in to see an gynecologist and request an MRI instead of a mammogram? Is there a support group for girls her age? Please advise, thanks